As of May 16, 2012, USPS has changed part of their mailing rules and standards. Lithium batteries and cells (both rechargeable and non-rechargeable) are now not allowed to be shipped internationally or to any APO, FPO, and DPO locations. This means that mailers also cannot send out products that have lithium batteries inside of them, including tech gadgets such as cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, and digital camera.

After January 1, 2013, limited quantities may be allowed to ship out internationally, as long as "the batteries are properly installed in the personal electronic devices they are intended to operate."

This does not affect the current rules for mailing lithium products within the United States, and lithium batteries (and their corresponding technical products) may still be shipped out normally. However, for international shipping, mailers may have to resort to private carriers such as FedEx.

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When will the new iPhone 5 be released by Apple? Sooner than you think with iPhone 5 and iPad 2 designs submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) this morning. The new iPhone 5 and iPad 2 patents suggest they will be slimmer, more powerful, battery efficient, power saving, and possible touch screen redesign.

"In many cases, the size of a portable electronic device can be limited by the size of the operational components used therein..." the application reads. "As such, there can be a desire to make these operational components smaller, thinner, more cost effective, and more power efficient, while maintaining or increasing their functionality to perform operations."

“Apple's proposed invention would have conductive nodes placed on a surface opposite a touch panel or display. The two surfaces would be in close proximity, which would allow conductive electrodes and conductive nodes to sense fingertips on the touchable surface.”

Some other additions could be made with the iPhone 5, including antenna adjustment to alleviate the death grip reception problem, possibly ditching the “Home Button” at the bottom of the screen, glass that is non-smudge and crack resistant, more memory (64GB and up), 4G capabilities, and possible Bluetooth 3.0. We also have the possibility of one chip including multi-band GSM, CDMA, and LTE technology to eliminate Apple making two different phones for Verizon and AT&T and just make one compatible for both cell phone networks.

Today, BlackBerry has announced it's newest phone during an event in Boston: the BlackBerry Balance. As the name implies, the phone seeks to create a balance between work and personal life. With smartphones becoming ever-so-popular, BlackBerry users have been missing out on a bit of the fun, but hopefully not anymore.

With the Balance, the user and the folks over at IT can create a distinct difference in contact information. IT can also include warnings for emails and calendar events being sent out through personal emails, limit transfers for data from work to personal, and manage your BlackBerry without touching the personal content. Pricing and availability have yet to be released.

On a less "official" note (read: leaks!), we've heard news of the BlackBerry Dakota and the BlackBerry Apollo (the next-gen Curve). While both contain a 5 megapixel camera and a bunch of technical goodies, there's a few differences with them. See the specs below for details (big thanks to BGR for the info!)

Verizon customers have wanted the iPhone since 1300 B.C. (at least, that's how long it feels like with how much they ask about it). This morning, it was announced that they'll finally get their long-awaited version of the iPhone 4. Pre-orders start on February 3rd, with the real opening date on February 10th. But what are the differences, you ask?

First off: antennas. The antennas have had to be tweaked slightly, and Verizon's iPhone has even acquired a fourth notch (with one pre-existing notch moving to the side near the volume buttons). However, it's been confirmed that this was only done so that the iPhone would work on Verizon's CDMA network; no real upgrade there.

On the plus side, Verizon iPhone owners can use their iPhone as a WiFi hotspot, tethering up to 5 other devices to it. That's pretty nifty, eh? However, this pro comes with a few cons. Such as the fact that Verizon's CDMA network can't support both voice and data at the same time. Meaning, if you're chatting away and you feel the need to look something up online...well, good luck with that.

With how much Verizon's been talking up their new LTE network though, why didn't they just travel that route instead of keeping the iPhone 4 at 3G? Apple's Tim Cook explains, "The first gen LTW chipsets force design changes we wouldn't make."

And, as a minor downside, because the volume buttons have been moved down just a smidge (thanks to the new antenna notch), this iPhone may require a whole different set of cases. Let's just hope that doesn't get confusing.

Now we play the waiting game, and see if Verizon's network is enough to lure AT&T customers over, or if their non-simultaneous-voice-and-data-network will shy customers away.